no one wants to look like a chump, right? which is why i've decided to give you the skinny on auditioning at the equity center. located in downtown manhattan, this place can be a little intimidating to the uninitiated. so. here's what you're going to do to audition in hopes of seeing your name in lights.
1) find out what you're auditioning for - preferably a show you can do; for example, if the casting call is for twenty-somethings, and you happen to be, i dunno, 33 and always told you look young, you're golden. learn a monologue.
2) on the day of the audition, wake up at the dumbest hour you can think of - the equity place is open early, and you want to be there early to sign up for an audition time. lolly gag and you'll either have to become an alternate (because all the audition times are spoken for) or miss it altogether.
3) arrive at the equity center after still taking a few wrong n/s turns on broadway upon emerging from the subway - sign in with security.
4) when entering the big-assed room, show the lady at the door your equity card - it's like belonging to a gentlemen's club, but with...you know. women. and no smoking allowed. and no fireplace.
5) find the table that has the sign-up for the show you're auditioning for - for the pluckier of you out there, that might be two or three different shows; ask for a time. (go big or go home: ask, "first available time, please.") you'll be with a group of people; for example, you might be with the "10:15"s. take the card they give you and fill it out. you'll be asked for this later, along with your headshot.
6) if you've got more than an hour, go grab yourself a coffee.
7) come back, re-sign in with security, re-show the lady at the door your audition card, and sit. (no drinks allowed, so make sure you've finished your coffee first.)
8) wait for your time to be called. (they'll call your name, too.)
9) line up with about five to ten other actors and actresses outside the room you're auditioning in.
10) stop sweating.
11) relax. if you're one of those people who need to center your chi, or pull inspiration for your monologue from some wellspring of acting ability deep down in your heart, now's the time.
12) when the line moves up, move up with it.
13) stop. sweating.
14) stop that nervous foot-tap.
15) get in that room and do your monologue.
16) exit the building and find a jamba juice. you've deserved it.
1) find out what you're auditioning for - preferably a show you can do; for example, if the casting call is for twenty-somethings, and you happen to be, i dunno, 33 and always told you look young, you're golden. learn a monologue.
2) on the day of the audition, wake up at the dumbest hour you can think of - the equity place is open early, and you want to be there early to sign up for an audition time. lolly gag and you'll either have to become an alternate (because all the audition times are spoken for) or miss it altogether.
3) arrive at the equity center after still taking a few wrong n/s turns on broadway upon emerging from the subway - sign in with security.
4) when entering the big-assed room, show the lady at the door your equity card - it's like belonging to a gentlemen's club, but with...you know. women. and no smoking allowed. and no fireplace.
5) find the table that has the sign-up for the show you're auditioning for - for the pluckier of you out there, that might be two or three different shows; ask for a time. (go big or go home: ask, "first available time, please.") you'll be with a group of people; for example, you might be with the "10:15"s. take the card they give you and fill it out. you'll be asked for this later, along with your headshot.
6) if you've got more than an hour, go grab yourself a coffee.
7) come back, re-sign in with security, re-show the lady at the door your audition card, and sit. (no drinks allowed, so make sure you've finished your coffee first.)
8) wait for your time to be called. (they'll call your name, too.)
9) line up with about five to ten other actors and actresses outside the room you're auditioning in.
10) stop sweating.
11) relax. if you're one of those people who need to center your chi, or pull inspiration for your monologue from some wellspring of acting ability deep down in your heart, now's the time.
12) when the line moves up, move up with it.
13) stop. sweating.
14) stop that nervous foot-tap.
15) get in that room and do your monologue.
16) exit the building and find a jamba juice. you've deserved it.
